AT&T plans to cut more jobs

New Haven (WTNH) - Union officials are saying tonight that telecommunications giant AT&T plans to cut 160 jobs in the state. However, word of more layoffs has the union claiming customers will see a decline in service.

"You can't keep providing good service for the people of Connecticut and keep cutting jobs," said Communications Workers of America Union President Bill Henderson.

AT&T has been shedding jobs, eliminating 1,400 over the past two years, each time prompting protest from employees claiming service to customers will send up suffering. AT&T says the business is changing, more and more people are dropping their landlines at home and instead relying on cell phones or internet based phone lines. "Its sad for everyone but our access lines continue to decline we have to make necessary changes to adjust our workforce," said Deborah Verbil, a lawyer for AT&T.

This time the layoffs come as a state panel considers a request by the company to modify customer service standards. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is opposing any changes to standards claiming a majority of connecticut households still have phone landlines they depend on. "Every consumer with a landline and phone in the state of Connecticut has a stake in those job cuts," said Blumenthal.

AT&T would not confirm just how many jobs would be cut but did say employees will be notified tomorrow.